We have prepared a simple moving guide to assist
you with planning your move. If you have questions that are not answered in this
guide please visit our FAQ page or contact us.
Tour your house from top to bottom, including the attic,
garage, storage shed. Decide which items are to be moved, and which items you plan to
sell, donate to charity or throw out. Consider a garage sale.
Decide on the approximate date you would like to move. Next,
contact our office to arrange for an accurate estimate of your moving charges.
Show your Moving Consultant everything that is to be packed
and moved.The estimate will be based on these items only.
Discuss professional packing services. If you decide to pack
some articles yourself, ask your Moving Consultant for our free "Packing
Guide". Discuss what packing materials you may may need.
Find out what portion of your moving expenses will be paid
for by your employer.
Plan menus to use up present stocks of canned and frozen
foods. Buy only what will be used before moving. It is inadvisable to move frozen goods
over long distances.
Make travel reservations for your trip. ( e.g. airline,
hotel, rental car, etc.)
Keep all documents and correspondence connected with your
move. They will be helpful during the moving process. Do not pack them; keep them with
you.
Gather letters of introduction from your clergy, business
associates, club presidents, doctor, dentist, lawyer, etc. Contact your doctors and
dentists. They may recommend a colleague near your new home. Ask your doctor for copies of
renewable prescriptions.
Arrange for transfer of any records from doctors, dentists, children's schools, etc.
Notify your local post office. Find out your new postal
code. Send out change of address cards.
Arrange to have utilities disconnected. Arrange for
temporary cellular service.
Write or phone the utility companies at destination to
arrange services to be connected before you move in.
Ask the phone company at destination if service can be
connected before you arrive.
Ask your bank to transfer your accounts to the branch
nearest your new home.
If your preferred method of payment is by bank draft or
certified cheque, be sure you have this taken care of in advance to prevent any delays of
your C.O.D. delivery.
Arrange for a safety deposit box at the new location. You
may want to leave the contents in your present box until one becomes available at
destination and then collect them on a return visit.
Never pack valuables. Keep money, jewelry, bonds etc. with
you, or arrange for a courier service to transport them.
If you are planning on having a garage sale, do it now.
Transfer fire, theft and other insurances. Check your policy
to see whether a long-distance move is covered.
Check your notes and questions. Ask your Moving Consultant.
Be sure to ask your Moving Consultant for your Destination
Agent's name and phone number in your new city. You will need to contact that member
company once you are ready for delivery of your shipment.
Have your rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave the rugs rolled
and wrapped.
Draw a floor plan of your new home and indicate furniture
placement. Make extra copies. They will be very helpful for moving in. Keep these with
your moving documents.
Prepare your car for transportation. If you are driving,
make certain everything is in good condition. Obtain the maps you'll need. Contact your
auto club for a route that will be enjoyable. Make a list of items to be taken, and plan
entertainment for younger children.
Plan a going-away party for your children and their friends.
If you plan to do some of the packing, start now. Ask your
moving consultant for more information or visit our FAQs which
explains what items cannot be included in your shipment. Ask your Public Works department
about disposal of toxic chemicals.
Collect all items being cleaned, repaired, stored and loaned to friends. Return any
library books you have borrowed.
Arrange childcare for younger children during the busy days of packing, moving out and
moving in.
Plan to discontinue utilities, delivery service, etc. Arrange connection of utilities
at your new home.
Prepare for your trip. Finish packing all suitcases and
basic essentials. Plan to carry with you valuable documents, currency, jewelry.
Ask your veterinarian about inoculations, certificates,
quarantine and entry regulations for your pets if you are moving abroad. Arrange transport
by air or rail, unless you are taking them with you.
For the night before moving day, arrange to spend the night
with friends. With everything packed away, you'll be more comfortable.
Take the family to visit some of the places that hold happy
memories for them.
Plants not being moved can be donated to hospitals or
nursing homes.
Prepare for meals between now and moving day. On the busiest
days, plan to eat out or have meals brought in. Donate excess canned and frozen food to
your community food bank.
Keep separate any food, plates and utensils you will need
during the last days. Pack them on your moving day.
Prepare a list of items you will need immediately at
destination, such as flashlight, light bulbs, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, packaged
snacks, drinks, etc. Pack these last and unload them first, along with necessities such as
the crib or playpen.
Place in separate groups the things you want packed together, such as linens,
toiletries, toys.
Two days before your move, do all the laundry. Remember to pick up all clothing from
the dry cleaner.
Drain water from garden hoses and oil/fuel from the
lawnmower and other machinery. Safely dispose of all gasoline, matches, paints,
ammunition, aerosol cans etc. listed in our FAQs.
Defrost and wipe dry fridge and freezer. Don't overlook the
defrost water pan.
Take down curtain rods, shelves - items that are not
permanently attached. Dismantle large power tools such as lathes, grinders, etc.
Confirm hotel or motel reservations for your trip.
Organize all your moving and travel documents as well as the
valuables you will be taking with you.
Be on hand when the moving crew arrives, or authorize
someone in writing to take your place. Make sure he or she knows exactly what to do.
If you have any questions, ask your Van Operator. He will be
in charge.
Advise the Van Operator of any items you will need
immediately at destination. He will load these last and unload them first.
Accompany the Van Operator through the house as he tags each
item with an identifying number. These numbers will appear on your Inventory. Make sure he
knows what items are not to be loaded.
Sign the Inventory and keep your copy with your moving
documents.
Keep children and pets aside and do not allow them into the
van. If you wish, your Van Operator will be happy to show your children the van before
loading begins. Keep children on their normal routine as much as possible. Have a few
favourite toys handy, or set up a movie in a quiet room.
Before signing the Bill of Lading check the details, with
particular attention to the Declared Valuation and destination address. Be specific about
where you can be reached when your shipment arrives. Sign the Bill of Lading and keep a
copy with your moving documents.
Before the van leaves, make a final and complete tour of the
house with the Van Operator to be sure that all items have been loaded.
Leave a note in a conspicuous place so the new occupants can
forward any mail inadvertently delivered to them.
Leave the house as agreed upon with the new occupants.
When you arrive in the new community, notify your
destination agent. Tell them how and when you can be reached when your shipment arrives.
If some of your goods are to be stored, advise the warehouse
of any items you want to remove or inspect so they can be kept accessible.
Confirm that all your utilities will be connected before you
move in to your new residence.
Check the arrangements for the installation and connection
of appliances.
For the comfort and safety of young children and pets,
arrange for a babysitter on the day you will be moving in. Check with your hotel and find
out what kind of child care services they would refer.
Pick up the keys to your new home and inspect it. Make sure
it is ready when the van arrives. Do any cleaning of windows and cupboards now if you can.
Fasten a floor plan near the entrance so the movers will
place furniture and boxes correctly.
Be on hand to accept delivery or have someone there on your
behalf. Make sure this person knows exactly what to do. If no one is present, you could be
charged for waiting time.
When the van arrives, pay the C.O.D. charges. The Van
Operator must receive payment before he can unload your belongings, unless billing
arrangements have been made in advance.
Position yourself during unloading so you can inspect the
condition of your furniture, direct its placement, and mark it on the Inventory. The
movers will place rugs and reassemble furniture, but are not allowed to install or attach
appliances, curtains, shelves or fixtures.
Any boxes packed by Classic at origin are the responsibility
of the movers to unpack at destination. These are noted on the Certificate of Packing and
Unpacking you signed at origin.
During unpacking, pay particular attention that small
articles or parts of sets have been unpacked before the packing materials are removed from
your house.
If you choose to do some or all of the unpacking yourself,
note this on the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking.
Sign the Certificate of Packing and Unpacking, verifying the
number of cartons that have been unpacked.
As soon as possible, check everything that was unpacked.
Report any loss or damage to your destination agent, or to your Van Operator if he is
still in the house.
Sign for receipt of your shipment, even if there is damage
or loss. Write down the details of damage or loss under the "Exceptions" section
of the Inventory at the time of delivery. Otherwise, the mover is entitled to deny any
subsequent claim. These notations on the Inventory do not constitute a claim; they are
merely a record of your observations at the time of delivery.
In the event of loss or damage, contact your destination
agent, who may be able to make immediate compensation in minor cases. Otherwise, you will
be asked to submit a claim form for action to be taken.
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